MANILA, Aug.10 (PIA) — The Palace welcomed the plan of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to hold presidential debates in different parts of the country so the public could thoroughly scrutinize the candidates that they are voting for.
“Mahalaga po sa isang eleksyon na malaman ng mga mamamayan ang mga isyu na dapat nilang pagpasyahan,” Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr said in a radio interview when asked about the Comelec’s plan.
“Mahalaga rin na makilala nila ang mga kandidato at ang pagdaraos ng isang tagisan, katulad ng isang debate, ay mainam na paraan para matamo ang mga layunin na ‘yan,” he said over dzRB Radyo ng Bayan Saturday.
“Kaya hintayin po natin ang magiging programa ng Comelec. Sa atin pong palagay ay ginagawa nila ang kanilang tungkulin na maitaguyod ang mahusay na partisipasyon ng ating mga mamamayan sa isang maayos at kapani-paniwalang eleksyon.”
The Comelec said it plans to organize debates among presidential candidates in various venues around the country. Comelec last hosted a presidential debate in 1992.
The electoral body said that a resolution for holding presidential debates is already being circulated but preparations have yet to start
The debates will be done “to provide a mechanism for exacting accountability with regard to campaign promises” that candidates make, according to the Comelec. (PCOO/PND (as)
